Multiple contact closure assembly



Jan. 19, 1965 R. G. TRUMP MULTIPLE CONTACT CLOSURE ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 2, 1962 RoeeR-r G. TRuMP Jan. 19, 1965 R. G. TRUMP MULTIPLE CONTACT CLOSURE ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2, 1962 INVENTOR. ROBERT G. 'TKUMP Jam 19, 1965 R. G. TRUMP 3,166,359

MULTIPLE CONTACT CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Filed April 2, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent tilice 3,166,369 Patterned Jan. 19,( 1965 3,166,359 MULTIPLE CONTACT CLGSURE ASSEMBLY Robert G. Trump, Hershey, Pa., assigner to AMI Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

Filed Apr. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 184,091 3 Claims. (Cl. 339-18) This invention relates to an improved connecting or switching device of the type used to interconnect a relatively large number of electrical circuit paths.

Advances in the art of solid state devices have permitted a considerable reduction in the size of electronic components with a comparable and highly desirable reduction in size of computers and office equipment. Such advances have, in the usual manner, sponsored development of compatible supporting equipment such as relays, connecting devices, switches and the like. In attempts to miniaturize connecting assemblies of the type shown in U.S. Patents No. 2,927,295 to Sitz or No. 2,594,737 to Cunningham, however, problems have arisen due not so much to dimensional reduction of components as to the basic characteristics of the operating mechanism of such devices which demand a considerable opening space for withdrawal of contact carrying panels or plugboards. In one known computer installation, for example, wherein the entire computer is installed in a cabinet about the size of a large oiiice desk, interconnecting assemblies having operating mechanisms in accordance with the prior art occupy a disproportionate volume of the available space. In even more compact installations, interconnecting assemblies of the prior art necessitate an outside mounting which detracts from both the appearance and general utility of the equipment. Additionally, in installations requiring protection against adverse environment the usual practice has heretofore been to employ special temperature, dust, moisture or explosion proof covers. Unfortunately, the use of such covers complicates and delays access to Ithe movable panel of the assembly. Finally, most of the prior interconnecting assemblies have closure means which limit the use of the assembly to either vertical or horizontal mounting.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide an improved interconnecting assembly occupying less space than prior devices of the same capability. `It is another object of this invention to provide a novel interconnecting assembly accommodating efiicient enclosure within the cabinets of equipment served by the assembly. l

It isafurther object of thisinvention to provide an improved interconnecting assembly incorporating a cover member operable to automatically position the panels of such assembly in either a closed position or in an open position for panel access. i i 'i It is a still further object of this invention to provide an impr-oved interconnecting assembly having a novel closure mechanism.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown invention ysectionalized to show the operating mechanism of the device;

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are elevations of the device shown in FIGURE l taken from the left side thereof in the operative positions, respectively, of closed, half open and open;

FIGURES 2A and 4A are sectional elevations of the panel actuating members of the device in the positions shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, respectively;

FIGURES 5-8 are schematic diagrams of the relative positions of the panels and contacts of the assembly in the various operable positions; and

FIGURE 9 is a schematic diagram of the panel movement of a typical prior art device.

Referring now to FIGURE l there is shown a connecting assembly 20 incorporating the improvements of the invention. The panel or plugboard construction may be of a configuration and composition as is described in the U.S. Patent No. 2,927,295, above mentioned. The particular wiping movement between the contacts o-f the fixed and movable panels of the device may also be as described in Patent No. 2,927,295 in the final motion of closure. The contact assemblies may be as described in U.S. Patent No. 2,882,508 to Watts.

In general, the unit 20 includes a fixed panel 46 carrying an array of contact members and a movable panel 42 carrying an identical array of contact members; side rails 22 and 24 secured to the xed panel member 46; and a cover 50 operably connected to a panel operating mechanism 56 secured to each side rail 22 and 24. Briefly summarized, the device 20 is operated by moving the cover 50 -from the position shown in FIGURE 2 to the position shown in FIGURE 4, thereby driving the movable panel 42 from the position shown in FIGURE 5 to the position shown in FIGURE 7 through the operation of the mechanism 56. This movement acts to drop the panel 42 with respect tofpanel 46 by rotation of cams 94 and 96 located at the bottom portion of the panel and, thereafter, drive panel 42 by members such as 32 to a position wherein the contacts of each panel no longer overlap. Following the latter movement, the panel 42 may be withdrawn vertically from the side rails 22 and 24 without danger of contact damage caused by reason of the contacts of the movable panel striking the contacts of the fixed panel. The improved space requirement of the present invention, with respect to the prior art, may be made by comparing the dimension O1, FIGURE 7, and the dimension O2, FIG- URE .9.

The assembly 20 may be mounted Within a'computer cabinet with the cover Si) flush with the cabinet outer surface, or alternatively, overlying a portion of the cabinet.

and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; :3f

ing it in practical use so that they may modify it in vari-1` ous forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use. In the drawings:

i FIGURE l is a perspective view of the assembly of the` The only interior space requirement of the assembly 20 is the dimension O1, times the height and width of the panel members including clearance for the linkage mechanism 56; I t is contemplated that the cover 50 may be substantially reduced in width with an incidental but not prohibitivereduction of the effective force attributed to the cover side member 52 through its lever` action. It is further contemplated that the cover member 50 may be provided with a peripheral gasket cooperating with a similar gasket iv mounted on the opening of the assembly housing the unit to effect a dust-tightV and/or explosion proof sealing of the assembly.

vReferring now to the assembly of the invention in length thereof to define abearing surface confining ver-' .as tical movement of the movable panel 42 .and its contacts to a path free of the eontacts of panel 46. Adjacent to the upper end of each slot 25 is a relieved portion 27 having a bevelled edge 29 to facilitate removal and insertion of the movable panel. Each of the end channels 22 and 24 further include vtransverse slots such as 32 and 32A extending to the rear rof each channel and intersecting the vertical slots 25. Each of the transverse slots carry and define the motion of a movable panel actuating member such as y34 in the manner shown Vin FIGURE 2A and 4A. The actuating members, such as"34, include a vertical slot 39, capable of carrying and retaining a projection of the movable panel shown in section as 30; and include ,a linkage by pin 35, extending through the end channel via slot 37 into a slot such as 72 in member 60. As is shown in FIGURES 2A and 4A, the movement of member 34 and hence the movement of panel 42ris limited in its transverse sense concerted action of four such spring members acting` on the corners of the panel 42, assures that the panel member will be driven into the withdrawal Lposition regardless of slight variations in either operating procedure, adjustments in the linkage Iassembly 56, or by reason of wear at the points defining the limits of movement of the actuating member 34. The length of the channel .39 in member 34 permits vertical movement of the movable panel from the position shown in FIGURE to the position shown'in FIGURE 6. v

The panel operating linkage mechanism 56 includes two vertical Iarms 60 and 80, each mounted for independent movement by means of a pivotal connection with the arm 52 of cover member 50. The member 60 is supported by pins 64 and 64A, as shown in FIGURE l, secured through slots62 and 62A to the end channel 24; the Alength of slots 62 and 62A defining the limits of vertical `movement of the member 60. Driving force to the member 60 is supplied by the connection with arm 52 through a pin member 70 and its bearing relationship with the slot 66 in member 60. As will be hereinafter explained with reference to FIGURES 2-4, the slot 66 is curved along a radius about the pin member 54 of .arm 52 so that the force applied to lift member 60 occurs only when the pin member-70 reaches the portion 68 of the ,slot 66. The linkage 30, secured to arm 52 by pin 82, is operatively connected to a bell crank mechanism including'member 90, locked by a pin memlier 92 tothe cam 94. The linkage 80 may comprise :a solidmetal shaft of unitary construction linked by pins .such as 82v and 82A, or alternatively, may vcomprise the adjustable member shown in FIGURE l, including adjusting nuts 84 and 84A permitting the length of the 'unit Si) to be controlled tolregulate the movement of the camming member 94 and panel 42 in the-vertical direction. l f

In the device of FIGURE l, the assembly S6 isV duplicated on veach side of the unit 20, the cams 94 and-96 Amounted on channel 98 operating independently under lcontrol of each assembly 56. In certain instances wherein the panel assembly is relatively narrow, it is contemplated that the camming mechanism may be continuous across the assembly from rail to rail replacing channel 98. This construction reduces-the pressure per ,square inch applied to the bottom of the movable panel by `distributing the driving force `over a broader surface area. In Vcertain other instances wherein thel panels carry a reduced number of spring contacts, this latter construction ofthe camming member permits the use of only one drivinglinkage which may be disposed on either side of the panely assembly 20.

Referring now to FIGURES 244 the operation of 'the ,assembiy 2i will be described. VFIGURE 2 shows 'the assembly 26B in the closed position with t-he panels 46 and 42 and their contacts positioned as shown in FIG- URE 5. An initial openingV of the assembly by lifting the cover 5@ in the direction indicated by the arrow, operates to draw the linkage titi in an upward movement rotating bell crank 96 and cam 94 tov drop the panel 42 intothe position shown in FIGURE 6. At this time there is no transverse movement of the panel 42 since the member of), acting through the bearing surface of the slot 72 against the pin 35, locks the member 34 from moving. The curve and length of' slot 66 in member 66 permits the pin '70 to slide,` Without moving the member 60, through an arc sufficient to allow rotation of the camming member 94, thereby dropping the movable panel member 42 under the force of the fixed panel contact spring pressure. Upon reaching the position shown in FIGURE 3, the pin '70 begins to bear against the member 6@ by reason of contact with the portion 655 of the slot 66. Further rotation of the cover 5f) acts through arm 52 and pin 7i) to drive member 60 upward; the pin members 64 and 64A cooperating with slots 62 and 62A to block transverse movement of the member 6 0. During this movement, the lower bearing portion of slot 72 drives the pin 35 and the actuating member 34 in a transverse direction, in turn forcing the panel member 42 outwardly into the fully disengaged position shown in FIGURE 7. lIn the fully opened position shown in FIGURE 4, the pin 76 has reached the limitV of its transverse movement in slot 66, the pin has reached the limit of its movement in slot '72 and the contacts of the panel 42 are displaced from the contacts ofthe panel 46 by an amount sufficient to avoid contact damage upon the withdrawal of the panel member 42 ,as shown in FIGURE 8. The panel 42 may then be withdrawn from the assembly 20 by means of handle 4S.

In the foregoing manner, the assembly of the invention operates to exactly displace the movable panel from the fixed panel in ktransverse andrvertical motions resulting in a substantial savings in space over prior art devices. The linkage mechanism of the assembly assures a positive control of the movable panel at all times thereby making the device relatively insensitive to mounting attitude and assuring that removal of the movable panel will not result in contact damage. VFinally, the provision of the cover member associated with the panel driving linkage permits a simplified and economical use of the assembly in diverse applications not possible with prior art devices.

Changes in construction Will occur tothose skilled in the art and various apparently different modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing descriptionY and accompanying dnawings is offered by way of illustration only.

l. In a connecting assembly of the type including a first panel having an array of contacts secured thereto and a second panel having a similar `array of contacts secured thereto, each panel being mounted in an assembly capable of ydriving the panels in relative movement resulting in an exact engagement `and disengagement of the contact member thereof; Vthe improvement comprising rail members secured to the first panelV having interiorly disposed slots defining vertical and horizontal movements of the secondY panel with respect'to the first panel, actuatingV means disposed in certain of the slots including a groove housing projections of the second panel and capable of restraining the second panel from horizontal movementwith respect to the actuating member, a panel driving assembly mounted exteriorly of at least one ofthe' rail members including an actuating memond linkage connected through the rail members to the actuating member capable of driving the second panel in horizontal movement, with respect to the rst panel.

2. The combination of claim 1, including a cover member mounted to the rail members having an operating arm secured to the actuating member and linkage members; movement of the cover member acting to independently operate the linkages to drive the second panel in the vertical and horizontal directions.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein theV second g linkage includes a slotted bearing portion conforming after'the rst linkage has completed its travel in driving said second panel in the vertical direction.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,594,737 Cunningham Apr. 29, 1952 Y 2,594,748 Earl Apr. 29, 1952 2,714,195 Beatty July 26, 1955 Sitz Mar. l, 1960 OTHER REFERENCES IBM Technical Disclosure Buueiin, V01. 3, No. 3, August 1960. 

1. IN A CONNECTING ASSEMBLY OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A FIRST PANEL HAVING AN ARRAY OF CONTACTS SECURED THERETO AND A SECOND PANEL HAVING A SIMILAR ARRAY OF CONTACTS SECURED THERETO, EACH PANEL BEING MOUTNED IN AN ASSEMBLY CAPABLE OF DRIVING THE PANELS IN ERELATIVE MOVEMENT RESULTING IN AN EXACT ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CONTACT MEMBER THEREOF; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING RAIL MEMBERS SECURED TO THE FIRST PANEL HAVING INTERIORLY DISPOSED SLOTS DEFINING VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL MOVEMENTS OF THE SECOND PANEL WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST PANEL, ACTUATING MEANS DISPOSED IN CERTAIN OF THE SLOTS INCLUDING A GROOVE HOUSING PROJECTIONS OF THE SECOND PANEL AND CAPABLE OF RESTRAINING THE SECOND PANEL FROM HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTUATING MEMBER, A PANEL DRIVING ASSEMBLY MOUNTED EXTERIORLY OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE RAIL MEMBERS INCLUDING AN ACTUATING MEMBER AT ONE END THEREOF HAVING A FIRST LINKAGE CAPABLE OF DRIVING CAM MEANS LOCATED INTERIORLY OF THE RAIL MEMBERS AT THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF TO EFFECT VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF THE SECOND PANEL, AND FURTHER INCLUDING A SECOND LINKAGE CONNECTED THROUGH THE RAIL MEMBERS TO THE ACTUATING MEMBER CAPABLE OF DRIVING THE SECOND PANEL IN HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT, WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST PANEL. 